Mysuru:
In a creative and somewhat unconventional move, the Mysore City Corporation (MCC) has launched a novel experiment to curb the persistent problem of public urination along the Bengaluru–Nilgiri Road, right in front of the suburban bus stand.
For years, the old compound wall of People’s Park had turned into an open, unhygienic urinal, drawing sharp criticism and causing deep embarrassment—especially for women who had to pass by the stretch. Despite repeated efforts by the MCC, including putting up “No Urination” signboards and conducting awareness drives, the problem stubbornly persisted.
The situation was further aggravated by the area turning into a bustling pickup and drop-off point for private taxis. With no proper public urinals nearby, many individuals chose convenience over civic responsibility, reducing the compound wall to a foul-smelling eyesore.
But now, the MCC has decided to fight back—with reflection instead of restriction.
In a striking move, mirrors have been installed all along the compound wall. The idea is simple yet ingenious: when individuals attempt to relieve themselves, they are confronted with their own reflection, triggering a sense of embarrassment and, hopefully, restraint. Officials believe this psychological nudge could succeed where warnings and penalties failed.
“People may ignore boards, but they cannot ignore themselves,” an MCC officer remarked, expressing cautious optimism about the initiative’s impact.
While the idea has drawn attention for its ingenuity, it also raises several practical concerns. What if vandals damage the mirrors by throwing stones? Who will bear the cost of repairs? More importantly, in the absence of CCTV surveillance, what happens after sunset when visibility drops and monitoring becomes difficult?
There is also the larger question of sustainability—whether such measures can deliver long-term behavioural change without adequate infrastructure like public toilets.
For now, the mirrored wall stands as both a reflection and a reminder—of civic sense, shared responsibility, and the ongoing challenge of keeping public spaces clean. Whether this bold experiment will succeed or shatter under pressure remains to be seen.